Pole construction



May 29, 1956 R. J. HoYLE, JR

POLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 28. 1953 mw, 4M Anm.:

-INVlEgTOIL Hey Rober J.

United States Patent C POLE CONSTRUCTION Robert I. Hoyle, Jr., Syracuse,N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to The MacGillis te GibbsCompany, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin ApplicationSeptember 28, 1953, Serial No. 382,564

8 Claims. (Cl. 20-99) This invention relates generally to a portablepole or mast construction suitable for use in supporting communicationand power service lines. More specifically, the invention pertains to asectional pole structure wherein the sections thereof are collapsible tofacilitate disassembly of the pole to be transported and subsequentassembly thereof at the site of erection.

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to provide a lightweightpole structure for temporary use in supporting communication andelectric service lines. This type of pole is used by the U. S. ArmySignal Corps, wherein such a light duty pole finds service, for example,in eld communications work. A light duty pole must of necessity be of aweight light enough to be readily transported, and further, be capableof being easily disassembled to avoid the necessity of having totransport an unwieldy, long pole structure. Although this type of polemay be basically intended for temporary duty, it must be of such aconstruction that it will reliably perform the duty for which it is tobe used, and thus not be subject to excessive deterioration during thetime which it may be put into service.

In prior fabricated pole structures finding utility as light-duty poles,attempts have been made to: utilize metal, plywood tubing and timbertruss constructions to meet the needs for such a pole structure. Whilesome of these prior structures have met with a certain amount of successin the use to which they have been put, for the most part they haveproved to be expensive in their construction, both as to cost ofmaterial used and complexity of structure, and/or unwieldy from thestandpoint of transporting the pole from one point of use to another.

Accordinvly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved sectional pole which is characterized by simplicity ofconstruction to make for ease of transportation and low initial cost.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fabricated woodpole structure which will have high load carrying characteristics in itsassembled state, but which may be readily collapsed to occupy a minimumof space when disassembled for transportation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sectional poleconstruction, the sections of which are of a tapered box cross sectionand are provided with diagonal cross bolts to rigidly retain the pole inits assembled state.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fabricated polecomprising longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacent memberssecured by hinge means to form a polygonal cross section, the crosssection being collapsible by reason of the hinge means, and securingmeans cooperating with the hinge means to prevent the pole fromcollapsing when in use.

With the foregoing and 'other objects in view, which Will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of Vconstruction hereinafterdescribed and claimed. It is understood that changes in the precise ICCembodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the pole construction of thisinvention:

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the pole of Figure l with portions beingbroken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2. j

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View showing the pole construction with thesecuring bolts removed, in its collapsed state.

Referring to Figure l, the pole construction of this invention is shownto comprise a hollow upper section A and a hollow lower section B, withthe adjacent ends of these two sections telescopically interengaged tomake up the complete length of the pole structure. Each of the sectionsA and B are uniformly tapered throughout their length with the largerend of lower section B adapted to be embedded in the ground for asucient length to support the pole vertically when used forcommunication or power line service. The two sections of the pole asshown in the illustrated embodiment of this invention have similarlyconstructed polygonal cross sections, except that the upper end of thelower section B is made with the interior dimensions sufficiently largerthan the outer dimensions of the lower end of the upper section A so asto telescopically receive the lower end of such upper section A.

Although the pole of the illustrated embodiment is constructed of onlytwo sections, it will readily be appreciated that any number of sectionsmay be used in assembling the pole within the scope of this invention.Thus for a short pole a single section might be satisfactory, whereas alonger pole might require as many as three or four sections. Likewise,where transportation space is limited, it might be desirable toconstruct a pole of a plurality of relatively short sections which wouldin their disassembled condition be short enough to be readilytransportable on smaller vehicles. All of these alternatives are withinthe contemplation of the collapsible pole structure of this invention.

The upper section A is formed from four side members 1, Z, 3 and 4.These side members are positioned with the edges of adjacent members inmutually contacting relation. A plurality of hinges 5 are secured to theadjacent side members by suitable screws 6. The hinges 5 thus serve toretain the side members 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the adjacent edges inmutually contacting relation to form a hollow square cross section forthe pole.

The use of the hinges 5 in securing the side members in assembledrelation permits the sections of the pole to be collapsed when it isdesired to move the pole to a new point of use. VIn attaching the hingesso as. to permit such collapsing of the pole section, the pintle pins ofthe hinges S which connect the abutting edges of side members 1 and 2,and 3 and 4, respectively, have their axes coincident with `the innercorners of the hollow square cross section. The pintle pins of theremaining hinges which serve to connect the abutting edges of thesidemembers 1 and 4, and 2 and 3, respectively, lie in the outer surface ofthe hollow square cross section between the contacting edges of the sidemembers l and 4, and 2 and 3. With this construction it will readily beseen that the side members 1 and 4, on collapsing of the pole section,will be pivoted by hinges S to lie parallel to the opposite side members2 and 3.

To retain the upper section A in its assembled state, a plurality ofdiagonal bolts 7 are provided to extend between the opposite corners .ofthe hollow square cross section. Pairs of such bolts 7 extend in crossedrelation, one above the other, at a plurality of transverse planes alongthe length of the upper section A. It will readily be appreciated thattightening of the nut on the threaded end of such bolt 7 will tend todraw the side members together and thus firmly retain the sidev membersin the assembled form of the hollow square cross section.

The lower section BY of the pole is constructed similarly to the uppersection A. Thus the lower section has longitudinal side members 11, 12,13 and 14, with a plurality of hinges 15 connecting the adjacentabutting edges of the side members to form a hollow square crosssection. The hinges 15 are secured to the adjacent edges of the sidemembers by suitable screws 16.

The pintle pins of the hinges 15, which connect the side members 11 and12, and 13 and 14, respectively, are coincident with the inner cornersof the hollow square cross section. The pintle pins of the hinges 15connecting the side members 11 and 14, and 12 and 13, respectively, liein the outer surface of the hollow square cross section between theabutting edges of the side members which the respective hinges connect.

With this relationship of the hinges connecting the side members, itwill be seen that as shown in Figure the side members 11 and 14 may becollapsed by pivoting on the hinges 15 to lie parallel to the oppositemembers 12 and 13.

To retain the lower section B in its assembled state, a plurality ofdiagonal bolts 17 are connected to join the opposite corners of thehollow square cross section. These bolts have a head 18 and washer 19thereon to engage the bottom of recess 20 which is formed in the cornerof the side member 14. The bolt then extends through a hole 21diagonally across the hollow interior space of the section through asimilar hole 22 in the diagonally opposite corner of side member 12. Anut 23 and washer 24 are threaded on to the end of the bolt 17 to engagethe bottom surface of recess 25 formed in the corner edge of member 12.Thus tightening of the nut 23 will apply force to retain the sidemembers in their assembled state in the hollow cross section form.

Pairs of bolts 17 extend diagonally in crossed relation in a pluralityof transverse planes spaced along the length of the lower section Bsimilarly to the bolt arrangement in upper section A. By such arelationship between the bolts, a compressive force is applied to theopposite corners of the hollow square cross section to rigidly retainthe pole in its assembled state.

It will be noted that a plurality of recesses such as 20 and 25 areprovided in the corner edges of the side members at each location of across bolt in the two sections A and B of the pole construction. Theserecesses provide a seating surface for the washer and bolt head or nuton the diagonal bolts and insure that the head or nut will not undulyprotrude beyond the corner of the pole. In each instance of such arecess on the corner edge of a side member, a hole for the bolt 7 or 17extends from the center of the bottom surface of the recess. Tofacilitate climbing the pole structure when installed in place, thebolts 7 and 17 may have a step portion extending from the head thereofwhich will extend outwardly from the corner of the pole to serve as afootstep for the pole at the positions of diagonal bolts 7 and 17 alongthe length of the pole.

The use of diagonal bolts 7 and 17 to retain the pole in its assembledstate is only illustrative of a suitable securing means which ispreferred for creating a strong, rigid pole section. However, it iscontemplated that other suitable devices may be used to prevent collapseof the pole without departing from the invention. Such a substitutesecuring means might be found in threaded connectors normal to the sidemembers, or other similar fasteners well-known to those in theconstruction elds.

In the illustrated embodiment the pole sections are made up of four sidemembers. However, within the scope of this invention, the collapsiblesections may be constructed of any desired number of side members withthe adjacent edges thereof connected by hinge means to permit collapsingof the pole section. Thus, for example,

if desired, the sections might be constructed to behexagonal oroctagonal in the assembled form with hinges connecting the edges ofadjacent side members to permit collapsing the structure to be flat fortransporting the sections. Also it will be readily appreciated thatwithin the scope of this invention the side members may be of plywoodinstead of ordinary lumber as shown.

As hereinbefore noted, the sections A and B of the pole construction aretelescopically engaged to form the full length of the pole. Inassembling the sections, the upper section A is slid upwardly throughthe` hollow interior of the lower section B until the respective ends ofthe two sections are in the aligned position shown in Figure 2. Torigidly connect the two sections in this relation, two transverse bolts30 are inserted through aligned holes in the side members of the twosections. Each of the bolts 30 has a head 31 with a washer plate 32positioned beneath the head. The bolt extends through the twointerengaged sections with a nut 33 and washer plate 34 threaded ontothe opposite end thereof to rigidly connect the two sections.

To withstand the compressive force applied by threading nut 33 on to thebolt 30, a pair of spacing blocks 35 and 36 are positioned internally ofthe hollow square cross section of upper section A, with the bolts 30extending through holes in the respective blocks 35 and 36. It will thusbe seen that drawing up the nut 33 on each of the bolts 30 will eiect arigid union of the sections A and B in their telescoped relation, toprovide the cornpleted pole structure. Although in the embodimentillustrated a pair of blocks 35 and 36 have been shown, it will bereadily appreciated that a single block accommodating both bolts 30could be used within the scope of this invention.

It will be appreciated that after the upper section A has been movedthrough the hollow interior of lower section B, the diagonal bolts 17may be inserted across the hollow square cross section B to rigidlysecure thissection in its assembled state. In locating the spacingblocks 35 and 36 or the single block substituted therefor, these blocksor block will be inserted in the lower end of section A prior toassembly with section B and held in proper position with a nail or othersuitable locating means until the two sections are assembled and bolts17 and 30 inserted in place.

Since the pole in use will have the lower end thereof embedded in theground and the upper portion exposed to weather conditions, prior to theassembly of the side members into the respective sectional form, thewood which is used in making up such members is subjected topreservative treatment. Such a treatment prior to assembling the polecan be eifected to insure a high degree of preservative penetration intothe wood used in making up the pole to prevent the possibility of insectattack or moisture decay. With such a prior preservative treatment theassembled pole will not be vulnerable to attack by wood-destroyingVfungi and insects, and thus insure a rigid strong pole having a longusable life span.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A fabricated pole comprising a plurality of side members extendinglongitudinally of said pole with the edges of adjacent members inabutting relation forming a hollow polygonal cross section, hinge meansconnecting the abutting edges of the adjacent members together andpermitting collapsing of such hollow polygonal cross section, andsecuring means extending through opposite side members retaining saidside members in the hollow polygonal cross section form.

2. A fabricated pole comprising longitudinal side members uniformlytapered throughout their length, hinge means secured to the edges ofadjacent side members pivotally connecting the side members parallel toeach other in a hollow polygonal cross section, said hinge means beingconnected to the side members and permitting collapsing of the pole sothat the side members lie in parallel planes, and securing meansextending diagonally across the polygonal cross section to prevent thepole from collapsing.

3. A fabricated pole comprising comprising a section having longitudinalside members with the edges of adjacent members n mutually contactingrelation forming a hollow square cross section for the pole, first hingemeans with the pivotal axes thereof coinciding with the inner diagonallyopposite pair of corners of the hollow square cross section andconnecting the adjacent edges of the side members which form suchcorners, second hinge means with the pivotal axes thereof lying in theouter surface of the hollow square cross section between the contactingedges of the side members which form the other pair of diagonallyopposite corners and connecting such side members, whereby said sidemembers may be pivoted with respect to each other to collapse the hollowsquare cross section so that said side members lie parallel to eachother.

4. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 3 further having securing meansextending between the diagonally opposite corners retaining said pole inthe hollow square cross section form.

5. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 3 wherein a plurality ofsections are telescopically interengaged forming a pole of extendedlength.

6. A fabricated pole comprising a plurality of hollow sections with theadjacent ends of said sections telescopically interengaged, connectingmeans extending through the telescoped ends of said sections retainingthe sections in their interengaged relation, each section having aplurality of longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacentmembers in abutting relation forming a hollow polygonal cross sectionfor the pole, hinge means interconnecting the abutting edges of saidside members, and securing means extending diagonally of each hollowsection urging the diagonally opposite corners of the section toward oneanother.

7. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 6 wherein said connecting meanscomprises at least one threaded connector extending through the sidemembers and normal thereto, and a spacing block positioned within theinner hollow telescoped section at the location of said threadedconnector.

8. A fabricated pole comprising longitudinal side members with the edgesof adjacent members in mutually contacting relation forming a hollowpolygonal cross-section for the pole, hinge means connecting the edgesof the adjacent members permitting collapsing of said hollow polygonalcross-section, and securing means retaining said pole in the hollowpolygonal cross-section form, including pairs of threaded connectorsextending diagonally through the hollow polygonal cross-section incrossed relation at a plurality of spaced transverse planes along thelength of the pole.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,140Haskett June 21, 1898 1,141,919 Auchu June 8, 1915 1,333,195 Watson Mar.9, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS 659,410 Germany May 4, 1938

